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A. U. Fuimaono

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A. U. Fuimaono
Delegate at-large of American Samoa
In office
January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1975
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byA. P. Lutali
Member of theAmerican Samoa Senate
In office
1985–1992
In office
1975–1978
Preceded byLualemaga Faoliu
Personal details
Born
Asuemu Ulufale Fuimaono

(1924-01-24)January 24, 1924
Fagaʻalu,American Samoa,U.S.
DiedSeptember 9, 2008(2008-09-09)(aged 84)
Fagaʻalu,American Samoa,U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseFelefele Fuimaono
EducationFeleti Memorial Teachers Training School

Asuemu Ulufale Fuimaono(January 24, 1924 – September 9, 2008) was anAmerican SamoanpoliticianandParamount Chiefwho served asAmerican Samoa's firstDelegate-at-Large to the United States House of Representativesin a four-year term from 1971 until 1975.[1][2][3]Fuimaono also served as the governor ofWestern District, American Samoaon the island ofTutuilafrom his appointment in 1993 until his death in 2008.[4]

Early life[edit]

A.U. Fuimaono was educated at theMarist Brothers Catholic School,Poyer School andSamoana High School.[4]Fuimaono went on to obtain histeaching certificationfrom Feleti Memorial Teachers Training School.[4]

Fuimaono enlisted and served in theUnited States Navyfor four years.[4]

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Fuimaono was a full Samoanchief.[4]Fuimaono helped to establish the firstPolitical Status Commission,which was held in 1969.[4]

Delegate to the United States House of Representatives[edit]

Fuimaono was elected as American Samoa's firstDelegateto theUnited States House of Representativesin 1970.[5][3]As delegate he was instrumental in reversing a temporary ban on the recruitment of American Samoans by theUnited States Army.[6]

American Samoan government[edit]

Fuimaono left Washington D.C. in 1974 and returned to American Samoa. He was elected to theAmerican Samoa Senatein 1975 as a replacement forLualemaga Faoliu,[7]and served in the 14th and 15th American Samoan Legislatures.[8]During this tenure, Fuimaono also served asPresident of the Senatefor 18 months.[2]

He unsuccessfully contested the1977 American Samoan gubernatorial election,coming third in the first round.[9]Following the election he left the Senate to take up a position in the Cabinet of GovernorPeter Tali Coleman.[2]He returned to the Senate following the end of his Cabinet position. He served again in the Senate from 1985 until 1992 during the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd American Samoan Legislatures.[8]Ultimately, Fuimaono served in all three branches of the American Samoan government, including as a legal advisor on Samoan matters within the territorialJudiciary.[4]

Governor of Western District[edit]

Fuimaono was appointed governor ofWestern District, American Samoa[4]in 1993.[2]He served as governor until his death in 2008.[2]Fuimaono was unable to attend many public events in 2008 due to failing health.[2]

Other roles[edit]

Fuimaono also sat on theboard of directorsfor a number of American Samoan committees and organizations throughout his career. He served as Chairman of theCongregational Christian Church of American Samoa.[4]He also worked aschairmanof theAmerican Samoa Red Cross,Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Samoa's Aloha Council and Chairman of Future Farmers ofSamoa.[2]

At one point, Fuimaono joinedStarKist Tunaas the company's Director of Government andIndustrial Relationsin theprivate sector.[4]StarKist Tuna has a largecanneryand processing facilities in American Samoa.

Honors[edit]

Fuimaono was awarded the Governor's Humanitarian Award in 2000.[8]The award, which is sponsored by the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council was established in 1996 by former GovernorA.P. Lutali.[8]Fuimaono was given the honor for his role as a church, governmental and traditional Samoan leader.[8]

Death[edit]

A.U. Fuimaono died on September 9, 2008, atLBJ Tropical Medical CenterinFaga'alu,American Samoa,at the age of 85.[2]

TheAmerican Samoa Senateobserved amoment of silencein Fuimaono's honor during its session on September 10, 2008.[3]GovernorTogiola Tulafonoordered allAmerican flagslowered to half-staff.[4]

Tributes poured in from across American Samoa.American Samoa GovernorTogiola Tulafonosaid that American Samoa had lost a great leader, "We will forever be grateful to his leadership, dedication and contribution. He will be greatly missed."[2]Representative Eni Faleomavaega said that Fuimaono "was like a father to me."[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^"American Samoa: A Descriptive and Historical Profile".8 October 1974.
  2. ^abcdefghijSagapolutele, Fili (2008-09-13)."American Samoa's First Delegate To U.S. Congress Has Died".Pacific Magazine.Retrieved2008-09-25.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^abc"American Samoa's first delegate to Washington passes away".RNZ.12 September 2008.Retrieved30 June2022.
  4. ^abcdefghijk"Governor Togiola honors Paramount Chief A.U. Fuimaono".Office of GovernorTogiola Tulafonopress release.2008-09-24. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-10-01.Retrieved2008-09-25.
  5. ^"FIRE DESTROYS PAGO FONO (AND BURNS PHILP SUFFER TOO)".Pacific Islands Monthly.Vol. 41, no. 12. 1 December 1970. p. 140.Retrieved3 July2022– via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^"SAMOANS WIN BATTLE TO BE SOLDIER".Pacific Islands Monthly.Vol. 45, no. 2. 1 February 1974. p. 18.Retrieved3 July2022– via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^"Death in a Samoan dawna matter of etiquette?".Pacific Islands Monthly.Vol. 47, no. 3. 1 March 1976. p. 14.Retrieved3 July2022– via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^abcdeSagapolutele, Fili (2008-09-11)."Gov A. U. Fuimaono passes away at age 85".Samoa News.Retrieved2008-09-25.[dead link]
  9. ^Felise Va'a (1 January 1978)."Home-grown governor for the Samoans".Pacific Islands Monthly.Vol. 49, no. 1. p. 30.Retrieved3 July2022– via National Library of Australia.
U.S. House of Representatives
New constituency Delegate at-large of American Samoa
1971–1975 		Succeeded by
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